A RETIRED professional footballer pleaded not guilty to assaulting a police officer.

Kevin Hird, 52, is alleged to have hit the officer but, Burnley magistrates were told yesterday, he denies throwing a punch or trapping her leg.

Police said the officer alleged she had been slapped across the face after asking Hird to stop urinating in the street in Windy Bank, Colne, last December 16.

Hird, of Colne Road, Sough, near Kelbrook, was bailed to await trial on March 6.

The former Colne Dynamoes player now turns out for Kelbrook Reserves in the East Lancashire League reserve division.

Hird was born in Colne and played across East Lancashire in his professional career.

The former midfielder and defender played for Blackburn Rovers from 1973 to 1979 where scored 20 goals for the club.

He was sold for £35,700 to Leeds United in 1979 where he played for five years and scored 21 goals.

He left the club in 1984 and began playing for Burnley.

He retired from the club in 1986 after scoring 23 goals.